Empire's boy

Chapter 7: Pressure Makes Diamonds

Elias walked into Empire's headquarters the next morning, his confidence sharpened by the night before. Last night had been a statement. The battle against King Killa, the fire in the booth—he had set the tone for what was coming next. He wasn't just another kid looking for a shot.

He was here to take over.

But stepping through these doors meant something else, too.

He was stepping deeper into Lucious's world.

The walls of Empire weren't just covered in platinum records and framed magazine covers. They were lined with ghosts—artists who had been chewed up and spit out by the industry, some by their own mistakes, others by Lucious's ruthlessness. Elias had seen how this game worked from the outside. Now? He was in it.

And he had to be ready for whatever came next.

---

The Studio – Another Test

Lucious was already waiting inside when Elias walked into the studio. His father sat behind the mixing board, expression unreadable as he tapped at his phone.

Elias took a seat across from him, arms folded. "So what's the next test?"

Lucious barely looked up. "You really think one hot track makes you ready for this?"

Elias smirked. "I think I'm just getting started."

That made Lucious chuckle. He finally met Elias's eyes. "Good. Because you're about to see what it really means to carry Empire on your back."

He nodded at the engineer, who hit play.

A beat rolled through the speakers. Slow at first, then growing heavier, bouncing with purpose.

Elias knew it instantly.

'Alright.'

Lucious leaned back in his chair. "You got two hours. Make it mean something."

Elias nodded. Challenge accepted.

---

The Booth – More Than a Song

Inside the recording booth, Elias adjusted his headphones. He let the beat sink into him, pulse with him. This wasn't just another song. This was a message, a promise wrapped in melody and fire.

He closed his eyes.

Then, he attacked the mic:

"Alls my life I has to fight…"

The words came out raw, thick with emotion. This wasn't just about rap. This was about struggle, about survival. About proving that no matter how many times the world tried to break him, he was still standing.

Outside the booth, the room was silent.

Lucious watched with an unreadable expression. Cookie leaned forward, arms folded, listening to every word.

The second verse hit, Elias's voice stronger, sharper.

"Wouldn't you know / We been hurt, been down before…"

By the time he reached the chorus, something in the air shifted. This wasn't just a kid rapping. This was a moment.

"We gon' be alright!"

When the last line fell, Elias let the silence settle. His chest rose and fell, sweat slicking his forehead. He could feel the energy in his bones.

Then, slowly, Lucious nodded.

"Not bad."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "That all you got?"

Lucious smirked. "Don't get cocky, boy. You ain't a king yet. But…" He leaned forward, eyes sharp. "You just might be a prince."

Elias exhaled, his pulse still racing. This was just the beginning.

Step by step.

Brick by brick.

He was building his empire.

---

The Aftermath – More Than Just Talent

After the session, Elias left the booth feeling the weight of what just happened. This wasn't just about rap anymore. This was about legacy.

Cookie caught up to him in the hallway, her expression somewhere between proud and cautious. "You did good in there, baby. But don't think for a second that means you're safe."

Elias frowned. "What you mean?"

She sighed. "You just put a target on your back. Empire ain't just about music—it's about power. And you? You just let everybody know you're coming for a piece."

Elias thought about that for a moment. He had seen the way some of the artists in the building looked at him. Some with curiosity. Some with respect. Others? With something closer to jealousy.

"Let 'em come," he said finally. "I ain't scared."

Cookie studied him, then nodded. "Good. 'Cause the real fight? It starts now."

---

A Meeting with Andre

Later that night, Elias was summoned to Lucious's office. But when he walked in, it wasn't Lucious waiting for him.

It was Andre.

Lucious's eldest son. The businessman. The strategist. And, from what Elias had heard, the most dangerous Lyon in the room when it came to power plays.

Andre sat behind the desk, fingers interlaced. "Have a seat."

Elias hesitated, then did as he was told. "What's this about?"

Andre studied him for a long moment before speaking. "You made an impact today. Lucious might act like he's not impressed, but he sees it. He's watching."

Elias nodded slowly. "And?"

Andre leaned forward. "That means people are watching you now, too. Not just the artists. Not just the producers. People outside of Empire. People who don't want to see another Lyon rise."

Elias clenched his jaw. "Let them watch."

Andre smiled slightly. "I like that confidence. But understand something—this isn't just about talent. It's about moves. About knowing when to strike and when to step back. If you really want to survive here, you need to start thinking like a Lyon."

Elias met his gaze, the weight of his words sinking in. This was bigger than just music.

It was about power.

And he had just stepped onto the chessboard.